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Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Lydia Martin
Mountain Dew is a refreshing yet highly-caffeinated drink popular with the young crowd. But was Mountain Dew made for whiskey?
In this post, you’ll learn more about the untold story of Mountain Dew and its link to whiskey. Read on.
The Truth About Mountain Dew & Whiskey Partnership
During the 1930s, original creators Barney and Ally Hartman, bottlers in Tennessee, had difficulty finding soda that could mix well with whiskey.
So being the inventive type, they created a new soft drink that would taste great with whiskey.
They came up with a citrus-flavored soda and called it “Mountain Dew” – a slang term for Highland Scotch Whiskey during the 19th century.
How The Modern Soda Came Into Existence
The modern soda came into existence when the Hartman brothers sold Mountain Dew to the Tip Corporation of Marion, Virginia.
The Mountain Dew before was caffeine-free, lemon-lime flavored, and clear-colored beverage. But, it didn’t look appealing to customers, so they gave it a makeover to boost sales.
There are different versions of the story. Tip Corporation’s Bill Jones tweaked the formula, and Tri-City Beverages’ plant manager, Bill Bridgeforth, added Tri-City Lemonade to Mountain Dew, resulting in a citrusy version.
No matter which version is valid, Mountain Dew is now the electric-colored, highly-caffeinated drink we all love.
What Is Mountain Dew Mixed With Whiskey Called?
Mountain Dew mixed with whiskey is commonly referred to as Mountain Jack.
To make a Mountain Jack cocktail recipe, you’ll need one Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey and four Mountain Dew citrus sodas. Combine in an ice-filled Scotch glass and stir well.
Mountain Dew As A Whiskey Mix
Taste
The modern version of Mountain Dew doesn’t taste like the original recipe due to its more robust citrus flavor with added high fructose, caffeine, and citric acid.
Mountain Dew’s high fructose gives a distinct corn flavor, which is apparent when mixed with whiskey.
People’s Perception
While some people may find this mix flavorful and delicious, some may find the taste off.
You may also find Mountain Dew better with other types of whiskey like Bourbon or Irish whiskeys than Scotch whiskey. You can try and experiment with different types and see what suits your taste best.
Do People Still Mix Them Now?
Yes, people still mix Mountain Dew and whiskey. Several cocktail recipes, like the famous Mountain Jack, Honey Dew, and Irish Redhead, use Mountain Dew as a mixer.
Learn how to fat-wash whiskey here.
Popular Mountain Dew & Whiskey Cocktail Recipes
Mountain Jack
Prep Time: 1 minute or less
Total Time: 1 minute
Ingredients:
- Ice cubes
- 120ml Mountain Dew
- 30ml Tennessee Whiskey (Jack Daniel’s)
Instructions:
Put the ice cubes in your whiskey glass, then pour in Mountain Dew and whiskey. Gently stir and serve. Garnish it with a lime wedge (optional).
Serving: 1
Honey Dew
Prep Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 1 minute
Ingredients:
- Ice cubes
- 180ml Mountain Dew
- 60ml Jack Daniel’s Honey whiskey
- Whipped cream
Instructions:
Get your rocks glass and put ice cubes. Pour whiskey and Mountain Dew, then stir. Top with whipped cream and serve.
Serving: 1
FAQs
Will a shot of Mountain Dew and whiskey get you drunk?
No, a shot of Mountain Dew and whiskey will hardly get you drunk. However, three to four shots of whiskey (with 40% ABV) and Mountain Dew can get you drunk, especially if you drink on an empty stomach.
Was Mountain Dew’s original name moonshine?
No, Mountain Dew was already named “mountain dew” when it was created. It was then used as a nickname describing moonshine. The Hartman brothers sold the drink before promoting it as a “zero-proof hillbilly moonshine that’ll tickle your innards.”
In Summary
To our surprise, Mountain Dew was not really created as a soft drink alone. It was made as a spirit mixer – mainly for whiskey.
Though Mountain Dew today is the altered version of the original Mountain Dew recipe, it is still one of the best whiskey chasers alongside ginger beer [1], orange juice, cola, etc.
If you haven’t tried combining your favorite whiskey with Mountain Dew, it’s time to experiment. You can try the popular whiskey and Mountain Dew recipes above for a new drinking experience. Cheers!
Reference:
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/bitters
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
